Problem:
Reply Post
In your reply post, write a reflection on one student's initial post and address the following prompts and questions:
Provide one responsive strategy that you think your peer could use to overcome the bias and partner with the individual.
Peer Reply Post From: Leanne
One child I cared for who challenged me the most was a 4-year-old who had recently been diagnosed with ADHD. Her mother shared the diagnosis with me, and I remember feeling concerned that she didn't seem to have much structure at home. Her impulsivity showed up in quick movements, difficulty with transitions, and becoming "handsy" with peers when she was excited or overstimulated. None of it was intentional, but it led to frequent conflicts, and I often struggled to support her consistently.
As I reflect on this experience, I realize that one unconscious bias I held was assuming that a lack of structure at home was the primary cause of her behavior. I worried that her family wasn't providing enough routines or boundaries, and that made it easy for me to overlook how much her neurological needs and recent diagnosis played a role. Instead of viewing her behaviors through a developmental or supportive lens, I initially viewed them through my own expectation that families should provide certain kinds of structure.
Becoming aware of that bias helped shift my thinking. I started focusing more on what I could control in the classroom - predictable routines, visual cues, extra modeling, positive reinforcement, and calm redirection. Recognizing my assumption allowed me to be more empathetic toward both the child and her mother, who was also learning how to support her daughter's needs. Need Assignment Help?